Middle School PRograms
A Better High
The Resilience to Rise Above
Workshops
KEYNOTE: “A Better High”
Target Event
Middle School Students
Ideal Audience Size
100 – 5,000
depending on the venue
Duration
45+ minutes
This funny yet age-appropriate presentation focuses on natural highs, substance abuse prevention and mental health. It has been described as the perfect combination of stand-up comedy, interactive demonstrations and inspirational stories. Matt empowers middle students to seek out positive social support, express their feelings in productive ways (e.g. music, writing, movement) and pursue healthy natural highs. It also includes science-based information on the impact of vaping nicotine, THC and drinking alcohol on the developing brain and mental health.
Outcomes
- Understand the concept of a natural high and why it is different than a chemical high.
- Be able to identify their unique natural highs and the value of using them to cope with stress.
- Understand the importance of supporting each other in positive ways and having friends who are alcohol, tobacco and drug free.
- Have fun and associate having fun with prevention in middle school.
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Keynote: “ Life Is Disappointing and Other Inspiring Thoughts”
Target Event
Anti-Bullying Assemblies, Conferences
Ideal Audience Size
100 – 5,000
Duration
45+ minutes
This funny yet age-appropriate presentation focuses on coping with disappointment, adolescent mental health and resilience. It has been described as the perfect combination of stand-up comedy, interactive demonstrations and inspirational stories. Matt empowers middle students to use healthy coping mechanisms (e.g. reframing, positive social support, natural highs), express their feelings in productive ways (e.g. music, writing, movement) and respect brain health. It also includes science-based information on the positive impact of healthy coping mechanisms on mental health.
Outcomes
- Learn about coping with disappointment, positive forms of self-expression and mental health. Three messages will emerge using Matt’s signature style: 1. Lean on Positive People for Support, 2. Express Emotions in a Healthy Way, 3. Learn to reframe pain, loss and failure.
- Be able to understand the relationship between lack of social support and mental health.
- Understand the ways express emotional pain that is productive and even helpful.
- Define the qualities of strong social support, specifically what to look for in new friends.
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Workshops
Target Event
Student Leaders,
Student Athletes
Ideal Audience Size
50 or less
Duration
60-90 minutes
Dr. Bellace offers a pre-program call to customize the workshop experience to meet the specific needs of your group. You may choose to have him facilitate a listening session, where students can share their stories and ask questions in a supportive and safe space. Additionally, he can lead an interactive discussion on a topic from the keynote, such as natural highs or mental health. One of the most popular workshop options is focused on public speaking, ideal for student leaders. In this session, students will analyze the techniques Dr. Bellace used in his keynote—such as audience engagement, storytelling, and information delivery—and create and present their own motivational messages to the group.
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